Food Gathering Economy: Principles Governing Production, Distribution and Exchange | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Distribution

In today's world, out of a population of approximately 3.4 billion people, only about 250,000 individuals still live in tribal societies that rely on a food-gathering economy. This accounts for a mere 0.003 percent of the global population. These food-gathering communities are typically found in extreme environments such as the frozen Arctic tundra, arid deserts, and dense tropical forests. It is important to note that these societies have often come into contact with more technologically advanced cultures.

Examples

• In Africa, there are several tribes, including the Pygmies, Pygmoid tribes, Bachwa along the equator, and some Bushmen tribes, that primarily rely on food-gathering for their sustenance. Similarly, in Asia, food-gathering tribal societies can be found throughout India, Malaya, and nearby islands. Some of these tribes include the Paliyan, Iruka, Panyan, Yanadi, Kurumba, and Chenchu in southern India, as well as the Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese in the Andaman Islands. The Semang and Sakai tribes in Malaya, the Ainu in Japan, the Veddas in Ceylon, and the Pygmies in the Philippines are also predominantly food-gatherers.
• In Australia, several tribes, such as the Kariera, Kulin, Murngin, Ngatatjara, and Arunta, rely on food-gathering for their sustenance. Moving to South America, we find food-gathering tribes like the Ona in Tierra Del Fuego, the Siriono in Bolivia, and numerous other tribes throughout the region. Finally, in North America, food-gathering tribes can be found in areas such as North Central California, the Algonquin, the northeastern and central parts of the United States, and the Polar Regions of Canada. Some of these tribes include the Shoshone, Miwok, Ojjibwa, Washo, and Winnebago Red Indians in the United States, as well as the Central Eskimo in Canada.

Characteristics

• A food-gathering economy is typically characterized by nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles, as people need to constantly move in search of food and water resources in various environments such as forests, deserts, or tundras.
• This type of economy supports a low population density, with food-gathering tribes usually having small populations, often not exceeding a few thousand individuals.
• Small, self-sufficient local groups are a key characteristic of food-gathering economies. These groups usually consist of nomadic bands or semi-nomadic settlements with around 25 to 30 members.
• A food-gathering economy features a simple economic structure, including basic technology, division of labor, land ownership, and capital.
  • The technology used in food-gathering economies is generally simple and easily passed down through generations. Common tools include digging sticks, collection baskets, and hunting weapons such as bows, arrows, and spears.
  • The division of labor is straightforward, with little specialization or differentiation between individuals, groups, or regions. The primary division of labor is based on gender, with men typically hunting and women gathering plant-based foods.
  • Land ownership is determined by group rules, with specific hunting and gathering areas designated within a tribal society. These areas are collectively owned, rather than individually.
  • Capital is limited in food-gathering societies due to the nomadic lifestyle, with tools often shared among members in exchange for the products they help create.
• Food-gathering economies are usually characterized by an abundance of food, with tribes collecting a wide variety of wild produce and hunting animals to meet their dietary needs. Some tribes also have methods for preserving food for short periods of time.
• Surpluses and trade are generally absent in food-gathering economies, as tribes tend to have a "forest to mouth" existence with little left over for bartering or exchange. Some societies may practice silent trade, exchanging small portions of their food for items like arrow points.
• Informal political leadership is common in food-gathering economies, with sociopolitical organization often being democratic in nature. If chiefs are present, they typically act as elders without significant authority or grandeur.

Conclusion

Food-gathering economies are a rare and unique form of society, accounting for only 0.003 percent of the global population. These tribal communities are found in extreme environments across the world and rely on simple technology and nomadic lifestyles to sustain themselves. The key characteristics of these economies include low population density, simple economic structure, straightforward division of labor, and collective land ownership. While these societies have come into contact with more technologically advanced cultures, they continue to maintain their traditional ways of life, offering a fascinating insight into the human past.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Food Gathering Economy

What percentage of the global population is part of a food-gathering economy?

Food-gathering economies account for only 0.003 percent of the global population.

What are some examples of food-gathering tribes in Africa and Asia?

In Africa, examples include the Pygmies, Pygmoid tribes, Bachwa, and some Bushmen tribes. In Asia, examples include the Paliyan, Iruka, Panyan, Yanadi, Kurumba, and Chenchu in southern India, as well as the Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese in the Andaman Islands.

What are some characteristics of a food-gathering economy?

Characteristics of a food-gathering economy include nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles, low population density, small self-sufficient local groups, a simple economic structure with basic technology and division of labor, collective land ownership, and informal political leadership.

How is the division of labor organized in food-gathering economies?

The division of labor in food-gathering economies is straightforward, with little specialization or differentiation between individuals, groups, or regions. The primary division of labor is based on gender, with men typically hunting and women gathering plant-based foods.